Thomas Jefferson to Samuel J. Harrison, 18 September 1817
To Samuel J. Harrison
Poplar Forest Sep. 18. 17.
Dear Sir
As you expressed a wish to have a note of the wines I mentioned to you yesterday, I make one on the back hereof. I can assure you that they are esteemed on the continent of Europe1 among the best wines of Europe, and, with Champagne, Burgundy Tokay are used at the best tables there. I think Roussillon of Rivesalt is that which will be most used in this country, because strength & flavor are the qualities which please here, as weakness & flavor do there. a first importation will enable you to judge for yourself, and should you select any on trial & wish to import them hereafter yourself either for the tavern or your own table, I will give you letters to mr Cathalan our Consul at Marseilles & mr Appleton our Consul at Leghorn, both of them my friends & correspondents of 30. years standing. I salute you with friendship & respect
Th: Jefferson
RC (ViU: TJP); on a single sheet folded to form four pages, with letter on p. 1, MS of enclosure on p. 2, and address on p. 4; addressed: “Mr Samuel J. Harrison Lynchburg.” PoC (MHi); with PoC of enclosure on verso; endorsed by TJ.
1. Manuscript: “Euorope.”
Index Entries
- Appleton, Thomas; and wine for TJ’s friends search
- burgundy (wine) search
- Cathalan, Stephen (Étienne) (1757–1819); and wine for TJ’s friends search
- champagne (wine) search
- Harrison, Samuel Jordan; and wine search
- Harrison, Samuel Jordan; letters to search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Opinions on; wine search
- Rivesaltes, France; wine from search
- Roussillon, France; wine from search
- Tokay (wine) search
- wine; burgundy search
- wine; champagne search
- wine; of Rivesaltes search
- wine; of Roussillon search
- wine; TJ recommends search
- wine; Tokay search